Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta
Upright chickweed, Upright Chickweed
(c) Elspeth Swan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Elspeth Swan · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Annual · Not Native
Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta (Upright chickweed) is a non-native California annual in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by European introduction with very limited California distribution, distinctive rigid growth form.
Upright chickweed is a naturalized annual found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills and northern central Coast Ranges in Marin County, inhabiting disturbed areas at elevations of 200 to 600 meters. Flowering in spring, this plant produces delicate white flowers with lanceolate petals emerging from slender, glaucous stems. Growing 2.5 to 15 centimeters tall with an upright, rigid structure, the plant has a distinctive glabrous appearance. Its leaves range from oblanceolate basal leaves with petioles to narrow, linear cauline leaves measuring 3 to 12 millimeters long, ascending along the stem. The plant's smooth, bluish-green surface and precise leaf arrangement make it a distinctive member of its botanical group.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: European introduction with very limited California distribution, distinctive rigid growth form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: 200-600 m
California counties: Butte, Mariposa
Outside California: to British Columbia, also Illinois, South Carolina, native to southwestern Europe
Bloom period
Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta blooms Spring.
How to tell it apart
vs Holosteum: Moenchia has 4 smooth petals and 8 capsule teeth; Holosteum has 5 jagged petals and 6 teeth.; vs Sagina: Moenchia grows rigidly upright with stiff narrow leaves; Sagina forms low moss-like mats with thread leaves.; vs Eremogone: Moenchia grows stiffly upright with scattered leaves; Eremogone forms dense cushions of spine-tipped needles.; vs Arenaria: Moenchia is rigidly upright with 4 petals; Arenaria is more relaxed with 5 petals and broader leaves.; vs Moehringia: Moenchia is rigidly erect with stiff narrow leaves; Moehringia has broader, softer oval leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta native to California?
No. Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta bloom?
Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta blooms Spring.
Where in California does Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta grow?
Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta occurs in Butte, Mariposa, at elevations of 200-600 m.
What plant family does Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta belong to?
Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Moenchia.
What habitat does Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta grow in?
Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.